Town and Portsmouth are continuing to discuss Matt Clarke’s proposed loan move to the League Two side.

The 18-year-old defender impressed as he played the first 74 minutes for Pompey in a 2-1 friendly victory over Coventry City on Tuesday evening.

“We are working our way towards that,” manager Paul Cook told the Portsmouth News.

“We feel there is a deal to be done but I am still having chats with Mick McCarthy so it’s a case of watch this space.”

Following Town’s friendly at Cambridge, McCarthy said he’d be happy to allow Clarke to move to Fratton Park to gain first-team experience.

“I think he’s a very talented player and it was sad last year that he had to stick around and be sixth or seventh defender sometimes," he said.

“I wasn’t really prepared to let him out because we haven’t got that much back-up, but he needs to play, so if Portsmouth do want him [he can go there on loan].

“He played tonight. [Town scout] Taff [Evans] has gone to watch him and we’ll see how he did. If they want him we’ll do something with him.”

Clarke could play for Portsmouth again this evening when they take on Vanarama National League side Woking at Kingfield.

Meanwhile, Colchester United have only a few parking spaces remaining for Tuesday's friendly against the Blues.

Photo: Action Images

chorltonskylineblue added 12:11 - Jul 24 Am I the only one wondering what the protracted negotiations are about? Don't other clubs, especially in lower leagues, normally just take loan players straight away if they're on offer? I know Pompey are still a bit strapped for cash with their fans trust having bailed the club out, but would we really want them to pay his wages when we want him to get first team experience?

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dirtyboy added 12:14 - Jul 24 More likely down to what we're doing and whether he's still needed as cover.
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Smithy added 12:16 - Jul 24 Hopefully negotiations are about him starting and playing games, no point in sending him there if hes not going to be playing.
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spanishblue added 12:35 - Jul 24 Probably more to do with us getting a defender in place first
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Mark added 12:41 - Jul 24 Will we have a recall clause? We may well be needing him if we don't sign some more defenders!
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bluefeast added 13:17 - Jul 24 Agree with comment regarding we need a duck in place before we let one out of our pond. So defenders on the radar ,talks on going ,clubs wheeling and dealing. Derby have done the best so far in the championship , on the basis they got there players in early.
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essextractorboy93 added 13:56 - Jul 24 I'm sure Mick is looking to secure one or two new defensive signings before we allow Clarke to go out on loan. Hoping we sort something soon before the Brentford game.
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rexron added 14:03 - Jul 24 The New Tommy Smith. Will come good in the future!
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BrettenhamBlue added 14:33 - Jul 24 nearly all of the other clubs in our division have MASSIVELY strengthened. Not to be negative, but we need to be signing new players not sending them out on-loan. Brentford in particular are really gunning for promotion. As are Derby, Wolves, Fulham, Bolton, Blackburn, Boro, Bristol City and QPR. The new season is just round the corner now and we haven't addressed the left-back and right-back issues. Mings has not been replaced, Parr was NOT good in defence last season (great midfielder though). Chambers was constantly caught out at right-back and Smith had issues at centre-back. Yes, our midfield has improved significantly and our strike force looks great. But we look really weak at the back. Smith needs to be rested at times and we are taking a real risk by expecting the youngsters to regularly fill in. I saw a few of the u21, u18 and reserves matches last season and most of these guys are not ready.

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jpring89 added 14:46 - Jul 24 Getting a little bored of hearing were not signing players I'm sure micks on the case and sorting it out as we speak regarding our defence we have over a month left of the transfer window. Not too sure about Bolton gunning for promotion
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jas0999 added 16:44 - Jul 24 Two weeks until the start of season, and we can Ill afford to lose anyone else until a replacement is brought in. If Clarke departed - which I still believe would be a good move for him - it leaves us very short at the back. In fact we could only have Smith and Chambers available if Parr is struggling with a niggling injury. Important also that we strengthen next week. Forget end of August for the transfer window, we have had since May to do our business. Don't want to go to a club like Brentford with two new defenders or youth without time to bed them in. Appreciate some posters keep saying there is plenty of time to bring players in, but they will also be the first to say the new players need time to gel if we concede goals! Pre season games is the time to bring new players in. Not Brentford.

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